Informing efforts beyond tailored promotional campaigns by understanding contextual factors shaping vaccine hesitancy among equity-deserving populations in Canada: an exploratory qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy exists on a continuum ranging between complete adherence and complete refusal due to doubts or concerns within a heterogeneous group of individuals. Despite widespread acknowledgement of the contextual factors influencing attitudes and beliefs shaping COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, qualitative research with equity-deserving groups, accounting for unique lived experiences, remains a gap in the literature. We aim to identify and begin to understand and document the unique contextual factors shaping hesitancy by equity-deserving groups as it relates to relationships with government and health authorities. METHODS: Participants were recruited and interviewed between Aug-Dec 2021. Semi-structured interviews using a convergent interviewing technique were conducted with individuals from the general population, as well as individuals who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, members of the LGBT2SQ + community, low-income Canadians, Black Canadians, and newcomers. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed by a team of researchers. Memos were written following interviews and used to complement the thematic analysis of the interview data. Themes are presented in the results section. RESULTS: The rationale for hesitancy among equity-deserving groups is consistent with literature documenting hesitancy in the general population. Contextual factors surrounding equity-deserving groups' attitudes and beliefs, however, are unique and relate to a history of oppression, discrimination, and genocide. We identified factors unique to subgroups; for example, religious or fatalistic beliefs among participant who identify as FNMI, fear associated with lack of testing and speed of vaccines' production among participants who identify as FNMI, Black, and LGBT2SQ + , distrust of the healthcare system for LGBT2SQ + and Black Canadians, and distrust of the government and opposition to vaccine mandates for participating who identify as LGBT2SQ + , low-income, FNMI, or Black Canadian. Newcomers stood out as very trusting of the government and accepting of COVID-19 vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: While our data on vaccine hesitancy largely mirror concerns reported in the vast body of literature citing rationale for COVID-19 hesitancy in high-income countries, the contextual factors identified in our work point to the need for wider systemic change. Our results may be used to support efforts, beyond tailored promotion campaigns, to support the confident acceptance of vaccines for COVID-19 and the acceptance of novel vaccines as future infectious diseases emerge.

Practice education facilitators perceptions and experiences of their role in the clinical learning environment for nursing students: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical placement is recognised as essential for nursing students' development of clinical competence. However, difficulties in providing supportive clinical learning environments are a well-known challenge in nursing education. In Norway, the use of nurse educators in joint university and clinical roles has been recommended as an initiative to strengthen the clinical learning environment and enhance the educational quality. In this study we use the term practice education facilitator in a generic sense for these roles. The aim of this study was to explore how practice education facilitators can contribute to strengthen the clinical learning environments for nursing students. METHODS: This study has a qualitative explorative design with a purposive sample of practice education facilitators affiliated to three different universities located in southeast, mid-, and northern Norway. Individual in-depth interviews with 12 participants were conducted during spring 2021. RESULTS: A thematic analysis resulted in four themes: "coherence between theory and practice"; "student support and guidance during placement"; "supporting the supervisors to support the students" and "factors influencing the practice education facilitators' performance in their role". The participants experienced that the practice education facilitator role contributed to strengthened clinical learning environments. However, their performance in the role was found to be contingent upon factors such as time allocated for the role, personal and professional attributes of the post holder, and a common understanding within the organisations regarding practice learning and role remits for the practice education facilitator. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that the practice education facilitator role can be a valuable resource for clinical supervisors and nursing students in clinical placement. Moreover, nurse educators who are familiar with the clinical area, and who are insiders in both settings, are ideally placed to contribute to bridge the theory-practice gap. The benefits of using these roles, however, were influenced by personal attributes of the post holder, time allocated for the role and the number of practice education facilitators positions, and management anchorage. Thus, to achieve the full potential of these roles, efforts to reduce these barriers should be considered.

Quality of Life and Working Conditions of Hand Surgeons-A National Survey.

Background and Objectives: Providing high-quality care for patients in hand surgery is an everyday endeavor. However, the quality of life (QoL) and working conditions of hand surgeons ensuring these high-quality services need to be investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QoL and working conditions of Swiss hand surgeons. Materials and Methods: A national survey with Swiss hand surgeons was conducted. Standardized questionnaires were completed anonymously online. Core topics included working conditions, QoL, satisfaction with the profession, and aspects of private life. Results: A total of 250 hand surgeons were invited to participate, of which 110 (44.0%) completed the questionnaire. Among all participants, 43.6% stated that they are on call 4-7 days per month, versus 8.2% never being on call. Overall, 84.0% of the residents, 50.0% of the senior physicians, 27.6% of the physicians in leading positions, and 40.6% of the senior consultants/practice owners, as well as 55.1% of the female and 44.3% of the male respondents, felt stressed by their job, even during holidays and leisure time. Out of all participants, 85.4% felt that work affects private relationships negatively. Despite the reported stress, 89.1% would choose hand surgery as a profession again. Less on-call duty (29.1%) and better pay (26.4%) are the most prioritized factors for attractiveness of a position at a hospital. Conclusions: The QoL of Swiss hand surgeons is negatively affected by their workload and working hours. Residents, senior physicians and female surgeons suffer significantly more often from depression, burnout or chronic fatigue in comparison to leading positions, senior consultants/practice owners and male surgeons. Better pay or less on-call duty would make the work more attractive in acute care hospitals.

Rapid Progression of Kidney Dysfunction in People Living With HIV: Use of Polygenic and Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) Risk Scores.

BACKGROUND: In people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH), it is unknown whether genetic background associates with rapid progression of kidney dysfunction (ie, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] decrease of >5mL/min/1.73m2 per year for ≥3 consecutive years). METHODS: We obtained univariable and multivariable hazard ratios (HR) for rapid progression, based on the clinical D:A:D chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk score, antiretroviral exposures, and a polygenic risk score based on 14 769 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms in white Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants. RESULTS: We included 225 participants with rapid progression and 3378 rapid progression-free participants. In multivariable analysis, compared to participants with low D:A:D risk, participants with high risk had rapid progression (HR =  1.82 [95% CI, 1.28-2.60]). Compared to the first (favorable) polygenic risk score quartile, participants in the second, third, and fourth (unfavorable) quartiles had rapid progression (HR = 1.39 [95% CI, 0.94-2.06], 1.52 [95% CI, 1.04-2.24], and 2.04 [95% CI, 1.41-2.94], respectively). Recent exposure to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate was associated with rapid progression (HR = 1.36 [95% CI, 1.06-1.76]). DISCUSSION: An individual polygenic risk score is associated with rapid progression in Swiss PWH, when analyzed in the context of clinical and antiretroviral risk factors.

Contribution of Genetic Background and Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Drugs (D:A:D) Clinical Risk Score to Chronic Kidney Disease in Swiss HIV-infected Persons With Normal Baseline Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate.

BACKGROUND: In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the relative contribution of genetic background, clinical risk factors, and antiretrovirals to chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown. METHODS: We applied a case-control design and performed genome-wide genotyping in white Swiss HIV Cohort participants with normal baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR >90 mL/minute/1.73 m2). Univariable and multivariable CKD odds ratios (ORs) were calculated based on the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) score, which summarizes clinical CKD risk factors, and a polygenic risk score that summarizes genetic information from 86 613 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS: We included 743 cases with confirmed eGFR drop to <60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 (n = 144) or ≥25% eGFR drop to <90 mL/minute/1.73 m2 (n = 599), and 322 controls (eGFR drop <15%). Polygenic risk score and D:A:D score contributed to CKD. In multivariable analysis, CKD ORs were 2.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55-2.97) in participants in the fourth (most unfavorable) vs first (most favorable) genetic score quartile; 1.94 (95% CI, 1.37-2.65) in the fourth vs first D:A:D score quartile; and 2.98 (95% CI, 2.02-4.66), 1.70 (95% CI, 1.29-2.29), and 1.83 (95% CI, 1.45-2.40), per 5 years of exposure to atazanavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, respectively. Participants in the first genetic score quartile had no increased CKD risk, even if they were in the fourth D:A:D score quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic score increased CKD risk similar to clinical D:A:D score and potentially nephrotoxic antiretrovirals. Irrespective of D:A:D score, individuals with the most favorable genetic background may be protected against CKD.

A national study on collaboration in care planning for patients with complex needs.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate inter-organisational collaboration on care planning for patients with complex care needs. Internationally, and in Sweden where the data for this study was collected, difficulties in care planning and transition of patients between the main health care providers, hospitals, municipal care, and primary care are well known. METHOD: A survey of a total population of care managers in hospitals, municipalities, and primary care in Sweden was conducted. The study assessed accessibility, willingness, trustworthiness, and collaboration between health care providers. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate regressions. RESULTS: The results indicate that Swedish health care providers show strong self-awareness, but they describe each other's ability to collaborate as weak. Primary care stands out, displaying the highest discrepancy between self-awareness and displayed accessibility, willingness, trustworthiness, and collaboration. CONCLUSION: Inability to collaborate in patient care planning may be due to shortcomings in terms of trust between caregivers in the health care organisation at a national level. Organisations that experience difficulties in collaboration tend to defend themselves with arguments about their own excellence and insufficiency of others.

Flawed communications: Health professionals' experience of collaboration in the care of frail elderly patients.

AIMS: Frail elderly patients who have multiple illnesses do not fare well in modern health care systems, mainly due to a lack of care planning and flawed communication between health professionals in different care organisations. This is especially noticeable when patients are discharged from hospital. The aim of this study was to explore health care professionals' experience of obstacles and opportunities for collaboration. METHODS: Health professionals were invited to participate in three focus groups, each consisting of a hospital physician, a primary care physician, a hospital nurse, a primary care nurse, a municipal home care nurse or an assistant officer, a physical or occupational therapist and a patient or a family member representative. These individual people were then asked to discuss the obstacles and opportunities for communication between themselves and with the patients and their relatives when presented with the case report of a fictitious patient. Content analysis was used to identify categories. RESULTS: Several obstacles were identified for effective communication and care planning: insufficient communication with patients and relatives; delayed collaboration between care-givers; the lack of an adequate responsible person for care planning; and resources not being distributed according to the actual needs of patients. The absence of an overarching responsibility for the patient, beyond organisational borders, was a recurring theme. These obstacles could also be seen as opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: Obstacles for collaboration were found on three levels: societal, organisational and individual. As health care professionals are well aware of the problems and also see solutions, management for health care should support employees' own initiatives for changes that are of benefit in the care of frail elderly patients with multiple illnesses.

A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Changing Student Confidence in an Online Shelter Medicine Course.

Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine offers comprehensive training in shelter medicine to veterinary students based on a set of core job skills identified by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. In 2012, this program began teaching online distance education courses to students and practicing veterinarians worldwide who sought additional training in this newly recognized specialty area. Distance learning is a novel educational strategy in veterinary medicine; most instruction at veterinary medical schools is classroom based. No previous studies have shown whether online courses can prepare veterinarians to practice shelter medicine. In this study, we investigated how an online, graduate-level course titled "Shelter Animal Physical Health" changed student self-reported confidence. First, we compared pre-course confidence regarding eight specific shelter medical practice scenarios to post-course confidence through statistical analysis. Quantitative analysis showed a significant (p<.001) increase in self-reported confidence for all eight scenarios. Next, we used open coding to identify themes within reflection papers that students were asked to write during the course and used those findings to corroborate or refute the quantitative results. Qualitative analysis of students' reflection papers identified six themes: confidence, communication, population management, outbreak management, medical care, and application. The results of this study show that distance education can be an effective method of preparing veterinarians and veterinary students to practice shelter medicine.

An R2R3 MYB transcription factor determines red petal colour in an Actinidia (kiwifruit) hybrid population.

BACKGROUND: Red colour in kiwifruit results from the presence of anthocyanin pigments. Their expression, however, is complex, and varies among genotypes, species, tissues and environments. An understanding of the biosynthesis, physiology and genetics of the anthocyanins involved, and the control of their expression in different tissues, is required. A complex, the MBW complex, consisting of R2R3-MYB and bHLH transcription factors together with a WD-repeat protein, activates anthocyanin 3-O-galactosyltransferase (F3GT1) to produce anthocyanins. We examined the expression and genetic control of anthocyanins in flowers of Actinidia hybrid families segregating for red and white petal colour. RESULTS: Four inter-related backcross families between Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis and Actinidia eriantha Benth. were identified that segregated 1:1 for red or white petal colour. Flower pigments consisted of five known anthocyanins (two delphinidin-based and three cyanidin-based) and three unknowns. Intensity and hue differed in red petals from pale pink to deep magenta, and while intensity of colour increased with total concentration of anthocyanin, no association was found between any particular anthocyanin data and hue. Real time qPCR demonstrated that an R2R3 MYB, MYB110a, was expressed at significant levels in red-petalled progeny, but not in individuals with white petals.A microsatellite marker was developed that identified alleles that segregated with red petal colour, but not with ovary, stamen filament, or fruit flesh colour in these families. The marker mapped to chromosome 10 in Actinidia.The white petal phenotype was complemented by syringing Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying Actinidia 35S::MYB110a into the petal tissue. Red pigments developed in white petals both with, and without, co-transformation with Actinidia bHLH partners. MYB110a was shown to directly activate Actinidia F3GT1 in transient assays. CONCLUSIONS: The transcription factor, MYB110a, regulates anthocyanin production in petals in this hybrid population, but not in other flower tissues or mature fruit. The identification of delphinidin-based anthocyanins in these flowers provides candidates for colour enhancement in novel fruits.

Outcome analysis of childhood pilocytic astrocytomas: a retrospective study of 148 cases at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are characterized by an excellent prognosis although several factors of adverse outcome have been reported. The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway plays a major role in their tumorigenesis. AIM: To report a series of 148 PAs in children to define clinicopathological and biological prognostic factors. METHODS: Clinical data were collected from patient files and mail inquiry. Pathological specimens were centrally reviewed. The three major KIAA1549:BRAF fusion subtypes were analysed by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in a subset of 47 frozen cases and by fluorescence in situ hybridization on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue in 23 cases. Tumour location, age at surgery, extent of surgical removal, histological subtype and KIAA1549:BRAF fusion by RT-PCR were searched for prognostic significance. RESULTS: Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) and the hypothalamo-chiasmatic (H/C) location were associated with a worse prognosis [P < 0.001 for overall survival (OS) and P = 0.001 for progression-free survival (PFS)]. Patients who underwent complete surgical excision had a better OS (P = 0.004) and a longer PFS (P < 0.001) than the others. Age was also a strong prognostic factor for OS but not for PFS. Infants (<1 year) and young children (<3 years) had a much worse outcome than the others (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004 respectively). KIAA1549:BRAF fusion status was not predictive of outcome. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the good prognostic factors of PAs but H/C PA remains a subgroup with dismal prognosis associated with young age, PMA variant and incomplete surgery. Search for KIAA1549:BRAF fusion in tumours with PA pattern is recommended even though the prognostic impact is still unclear.

Mapping, complementation, and targets of the cysteine protease actinidin in kiwifruit.

Cysteine proteases (CPs) accumulate to high concentration in many fruit, where they are believed to play a role in fungal and insect defense. The fruit of Actinidia species (kiwifruit) exhibit a range of CP activities (e.g. the Actinidia chinensis variety YellowA shows less than 2% of the activity of Actinidia deliciosa variety Hayward). A major quantitative trait locus for CP activity was mapped to linkage group 16 in a segregating population of A. chinensis. This quantitative trait locus colocated with the gene encoding actinidin, the major acidic CP in ripe Hayward fruit encoded by the ACT1A-1 allele. Sequence analysis indicated that the ACT1A locus in the segregating A. chinensis population contained one functional allele (A-2) and three nonfunctional alleles (a-3, a-4, and a-5) each containing a unique frameshift mutation. YellowA kiwifruit contained two further alleles: a-6, which was nonfunctional because of a large insertion, and a-7, which produced an inactive enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis of the act1a-7 protein revealed a residue that restored CP activity. Expression of the functional ACT1A-1 cDNA in transgenic plants complemented the natural YellowA mutations and partially restored CP activity in fruit. Two consequences of the increase in CP activity were enhanced degradation of gelatin-based jellies in vitro and an increase in the processing of a class IV chitinase in planta. These results provide new insight into key residues required for CP activity and the in vivo protein targets of actinidin.

Nurses' experiences of person-centred care planning using video-conferencing.

AIM: The aim was to illuminate how nurses experience person-centred care planning using video conferencing upon hospital discharge of frail older persons. DESIGN: Care planning via video conferencing requires collaboration, communication and information transfer between involved parties, both with regard to preparing and conducting meetings. Participation of involved parties is required to achieve a collaborative effort, but the responsibilities and roles of the involved professions are unclear, despite the existence of regulations. METHOD: A qualitative content analysis was conducted based on 11 individual semi-structured interviews with nurses from hospitals, municipalities and primary care in Sweden. RESULTS: This study provides valuable insights into challenges associated with care planning via video conferencing. The meeting format, that is video conferencing, is perceived as a barrier that makes the interaction challenging. Shortcomings in video technology make a person-centred approach difficult. The person-centred approach is also difficult for nurses to maintain when the older person or relatives are not involved in the planning.

Is there a bias in the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder among racially minoritized patients?

Empirical evidence documents disparities in the diagnosis of severe forms of psychopathology among racial/ethnic minority persons. However, research on diagnostic differences in personality disorders is equivocal: Some suggest higher prevalence of personality disorders among racial/ethnic minority persons, whereas other results suggest the opposite. The goal of the current study was to investigate (a) differences in the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in a mostly cisgender, heterosexual sample among racial/ethnic minority patients compared with non-Hispanic White patients and (b) whether any observed differences were attributable to differences in underlying maladaptive personality domains. Using data from partial hospital patients (N = 2,657), we found few differences in the diagnosis of BPD based on racial/ethnic group membership. We also conducted measurement invariance analyses of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form (PID-5-BF), finding evidence of invariance across White and non-White participants in these data. Any instances of diagnostic disparity were explained by group differences in maladaptive personality domains. These results provide context to the extant literature documenting mixed results about racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of personality disorders. In addition, they suggest relative specificity in BPD diagnostic bias related to sexual minority populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of concordant communication in outpatient care planning - nurses' perspective.

AIM: To elucidate registered nurses' experiences of coordinated care planning in outpatient care. BACKGROUND: Coordinated care planning has been studied from the perspectives of both patients and nurses in inpatient care, but it is deficient in outpatient care. METHOD: Qualitative content analysis of interviews with 10 registered nurses participating in two focus groups. RESULTS: An overall theme was identified: creating concordant communication in relation to patient and health-care providers. The result is based on four categories and nine subcategories. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need extraordinary communication skills to reach concordance in outpatient care planning. In addition to involving and supporting the patients and next of kin in the decision-making process, the outcome of the nursing process must be understood by colleagues and members of other professions and health-care providers (non-nursing). IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: An effective outpatient care-planning process requires that care managers understand the impact of communicating, transferring information and reaching consensus with other health-care providers, actively supporting employees in the outpatient care-planning process and contributing to the development of common goals and policy documents across organisational boundaries.

A Life Dedicated to Climbing and Its Sequelae in the Fingers-A Review of the Literature.

Fingers of sport climbers are exposed to high mechanical loads. This work focuses on the fingers of a 52-year-old active elite climber who was the first in mankind to master 8B (V13), 8B+ (V14) and 8C (V15) graded boulders, bringing lifelong high-intensity loads to his hands. It is therefore hypothesized that he belongs to a small group of people with the highest accumulative loads to their fingers in the climbing scene. Fingers were analyzed by means of ultrasonography, X-rays and physical examination. Soft tissue and bone adaptations, as well as the onset of osteoarthritis and finger stiffness, were found, especially in digit III, the longest and therefore most loaded digit. Finally, this article aims to provide an overview of the current literature in this field. In conclusion, elite sport climbing results in soft tissue and bone adaptations in the fingers, and the literature provides evidence that these adaptations increase over one's career. However, at later stages, radiographic and clinical signs of osteoarthritis, especially in the middle finger, seem to occur, although they may not be symptomatic.

Quantification of Kuramoto Coupling Between Intrinsic Brain Networks Applied to fMRI Data in Major Depressive Disorder.

Organized patterns of system-wide neural activity adapt fluently within the brain to adjust behavioral performance to environmental demands. In major depressive disorder (MD), markedly different co-activation patterns across the brain emerge from a rather similar structural substrate. Despite the application of advanced methods to describe the functional architecture, e.g., between intrinsic brain networks (IBNs), the underlying mechanisms mediating these differences remain elusive. Here we propose a novel complementary approach for quantifying the functional relations between IBNs based on the Kuramoto model. We directly estimate the Kuramoto coupling parameters (K) from IBN time courses derived from empirical fMRI data in 24 MD patients and 24 healthy controls. We find a large pattern with a significant number of Ks depending on the disease severity score Hamilton D, as assessed by permutation testing. We successfully reproduced the dependency in an independent test data set of 44 MD patients and 37 healthy controls. Comparing the results to functional connectivity from partial correlations (FC), to phase synchrony (PS) as well as to first order auto-regressive measures (AR) between the same IBNs did not show similar correlations. In subsequent validation experiments with artificial data we find that a ground truth of parametric dependencies on artificial regressors can be recovered. The results indicate that the calculation of Ks can be a useful addition to standard methods of quantifying the brain's functional architecture.

Healthcare professional and professional stakeholders' perspectives on vaccine mandates in Switzerland: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: There currently are no mandatory vaccines in Switzerland. However, Swiss federal legislation allows for vaccination mandates in settings where the risk of transmission to vulnerable groups is high, such as healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with vulnerable patients. Since HCPs are trusted information sources, a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination, and potentially subjected to mandates, we investigated HCP perspectives on mandates. METHODS: A national online survey was administered to HCPs (October 2020-March 2021), including vaccine mandates questions concerning patients (measles) and HCPs (influenza). We qualitatively investigated HCP mandate perspectives through: (1) 34 interviews with HCPs, HCP professional society representatives, and health authorities; (2) a focus group discussion (FGD) with complementary medicine (CM) and biomedical physicians, and Swiss Federal Vaccination Commission members. RESULTS: 1933 participants (496 physicians, 226 pharmacists, 607 nurses, 604 midwives) responded to the survey. Quantitative results show all professional groups preferred shared parent-HCP measles vaccine decisions (65%, 54%, 50%, 48%, respectively; p for trend < 0.001). Midwives (87%) and nurses (70%) preferred individual influenza vaccination decisions for HCPs, while physicians (49%) and pharmacists (44%) preferred shared employee-employer decisions (p for trend < 0.001). Physicians (p < .001) and pharmacists (p < .01) with CM training favored individual influenza vaccination decisions. Qualitative results show general HCP opposition to vaccine mandates, mainly because participants argued how other approaches, such as HCP training and better information, could encourage uptake. Arguments against COVID-19 mandates included insufficiently documented long-term safety/efficacy data. From participants' perspectives, mandated vaccination should be used as a last resort. Some participants expressed fear that with mandates, notably for influenza and COVID-19, some HCPs might leave their jobs. HCPs were unsure what vaccine mandates would concretely look like in practice, particularly regarding sanctions for non-compliance and enforcement. CONCLUSION: In Switzerland, HCPs generally were opposed to vaccination mandates. Clarity and guidance are needed from health authorities to better inform discussions around vaccine mandates.

Health Care Professionals' Interest in Vaccination Training in Switzerland: A Quantitative Survey.

Objectives: Health care professionals (HCPs) play an important role for patients' vaccination decisions. To counsel patients/clients appropriately, HCPs need current factual knowledge about vaccines and strong communication skills. Methods: We conducted an online survey with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and midwives in Switzerland (01.11.2020-31.03.2021). We evaluated: 1) interest in vaccination knowledge and counseling training; 2) vaccination recommendation practices; 3) experience with vaccination counseling/administration; 4) comfort level in addressing vaccine hesitancy (VH); 5) perspectives on patient/client VH, delays, and refusals. Results: In total, 1,933 practicing HCPs responded (496 physicians, 226 pharmacists, 607 nurses, 604 midwives). 43% physicians, 31% pharmacists, 15% nurses, and 23% midwives felt comfortable counseling VH patients/clients. 96% physicians, 98% pharmacists, 85% nurses, and 91% midwives were interested in additional vaccination-related training. All professionals mentioned safety, efficacy, and side effects as topics of most interest for additional training. Conclusion: Results demonstrate a high interest among HCPs for additional vaccination-related training. In addition to factual information about vaccination, such training will likely benefit from a communication component, given the low rates of comfort reported by HCPs when counseling VH patients/clients.

Structure, Thermal Properties and Proton Conductivity of the Sulfonated Polyphenylquinoxalines.

This paper briefly reviews the results of scientific research on the proton conductivity of sulfonated polyphenylquinoxalines. Synthesis, structure (IR spectroscopy, SEM, quantum-chemical modeling, molecular weight distribution), moisture capacity, thermal properties, and proton conductivity of sulfonated polyphenylquinoxalines (sulfur content 2.6, 4.2, 5.5, and 7%) were studied. The relative stable configurations of sulfonated polyphenylquinoxalines with different positions of benzene rings and sulfogroups with the help of quantum chemical modeling were modeled. Sulfonation of the starting polyphenylquinoxalines was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The SEM method was used to study the surface of sulfonated polyphenylquinoxalines, and sulfonation regions were found. It was shown that sulfonated polyphenylquinoxalines contain water and are stable up to 250 °C; on further heating, the decomposition of the sulfogroups occurs. The conductivity of the obtained polymer electrolytes was studied by impedance spectroscopy, and long-term tests were carried out. It is shown that the proton conductivity at an ambient humidity of 98 rel. % reaches values 10-6-10-3 S/cm depending on the degree of sulfonation. It was shown that even after long-term storage in air (7 years), samples of sulfonated polyphenylquinoxalines with a high sulfur content of 7% at 98% air humidity have a conductivity of 8 × 10-4 S/cm.

Octopamine receptors from the barnacle balanus improvisus are activated by the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist medetomidine.

G protein-coupled octopamine receptors of insects and other invertebrates represent counterparts of adrenoceptors in vertebrate animals. The alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist medetomidine, which is in clinical use as a veterinary sedative agent, was discovered to inhibit the settling process of barnacles, an important step in the ontogeny of this crustacean species. Settling of barnacles onto ship hulls leads to biofouling that has many harmful practical consequences, and medetomidine is currently under development as a novel type of antifouling agent. We now report that medetomidine induces hyperactivity in the barnacle larvae to disrupt the settling process. To identify the molecular targets of medetomidine, we cloned five octopamine receptors from the barnacle Balanus improvisus. We show by phylogenetic analyses that one receptor (BiOctalpha) belongs to the alpha-adrenoceptor-like subfamily, and the other four (BiOctbeta-R1, BiOctbeta-R2, BiOctbeta-R3, and BiOctbeta-R4) belong to the beta-adrenoceptor-like octopamine receptor subfamily. Phylogenetic analyses also indicated that B. improvisus has a different repertoire of beta-adrenoceptor-like octopamine receptors than insects. When expressed in CHO cells, the cloned receptors were activated by both octopamine and medetomidine, resulting in increased intracellular cAMP or calcium levels. Tyramine activated the receptors but with much lesser potency than octopamine. A hypothesis for receptor discrimination between tyramine and octopamine was generated from a homology three-dimensional model. The characterization of B. improvisus octopamine receptors is important for a better functional understanding of these receptors in crustaceans as well as for practical applications in development of environmentally sustainable antifouling agents.